What a pity! It would be wonderful to report that this newly found (at least to me) Rheingold from 1947, led by Erich Kleiber at his home-away-from-home in Argentina–and in vaguely listenable sound–was worth buying. But it has a problem that can’t be overlooked: the whole performance has been transferred a half-tone sharp. Granted, this makes for nice quick listening (it comes in at two hours and 14 minutes), with bright voices, but, let’s face it–it’s entirely distorted and out of the running. What you hear is that Herbert Janssen is a potent, arrogant, tireless Wotan; the Alberich of Fred Destal is nicely grimy; Elsa Cavelti’s Fricka is second-rate; and Set Svanholm’s Loge is terrific and energetic. But it’s unrecommendable! Were it in correct pitch, the rating may have been an eight. As it stands now, it’s entertaining and gives us an idea of what Kleiber was up to in ’47 (and quite a storyteller he was!); but, as they say, fuggedaboudit.
Artistic Quality: 5
Sound Quality: 3
Robert Levine